News
Oguta Community in Imo Abolishes Long-Standing Osu/Ohu Outcast System in Landmark Move
In a significant step against entrenched social discrimination, traditional leaders in Oguta, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, have formally abolished the age-long Osu (also referred to as Ohu) outcast system, a cultural practice that has marginalised generations of people through stigma and exclusion.
The abolition was proclaimed on November 3, 2025 (with some reports noting the public declaration on November 2), at the Oguta Civic Centre. Chief Nduka Oduenyi, the Ogana (spokesman/assistant) to the traditional ruler of Oguta, Eze Nnani Eze-Eyiche, made the announcement on behalf of the community’s leaders, elders, youths, and women who gathered for the event.
“This is a historic moment of renewal and unity for the Oguta community,” Oduenyi stated. “The long-standing Ohu caste system — a practice widely regarded as discriminatory and inconsistent with human dignity — no longer exists in Oguta going forward.
”The Osu/Ohu system, deeply rooted in parts of Igbo culture, has historically designated certain individuals and their descendants as outcasts, limiting their social interactions, marriages, and opportunities despite previous legislative efforts at state and regional levels to end it.
The development comes nearly four years after investigative journalist and author Ejiro Umukoro drew fresh national attention to the issue through her novel *Distortion*.
The book, which weaves together themes of mental health, infertility, grief, and systemic discrimination including the Osu caste system, sparked widespread conversations across Nigeria.
Umukoro’s advocacy went beyond the pages of the novel. Through a seven-month nationwide book tour featuring television appearances, radio interviews, and community outreach, she consistently highlighted the lived experiences of those affected by the system, helping to revive dormant discussions on the topic.
This community-led abolition in Oguta is seen by many as a concrete outcome of renewed advocacy efforts, including those by Umukoro and other human rights voices, building on earlier calls for reform. It marks one of the more visible public renunciations of the practice in recent years.
The move has been welcomed by observers as a positive step toward greater social inclusion and equality in the region, though broader eradication across Igbo land would require continued efforts by traditional institutions, government, and civil society.
News
Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop
The deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
•Faith Alayande
A Nigerian Law School student identified as Faith Alayande, is dead after she fell from the rooftop at Lagos campus.
In a statement on Monday, Aderonke Osho, secretary to the council and director of administration, said that the deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
Osho said preliminary findings revealed that the student died from injuries sustained after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel around 4am on Friday.
The Nigerian Law School is deeply saddened by this tragic development.
“Management is working closely with the appropriate authorities and the family to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensure that all necessary procedures are duly followed, and provide further information as appropriate.”
News
Ekwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival for Kidnap Billionaire Son
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
• Joseph Ezeokafor
Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has cancelled its New Yam festival celebration billed for September 4, 2026.
Ohibaba.com learned that this is because of the kidnap of billionaire businessman and owner of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor.
Ezeokafor was kidnapped in Awka on Tuesday last week when he stepped out of his house without his security details to attend to his spiritual need, where he goes to offer prays.
Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the development said that serious operation is currently ongoing to save the elder statesman.
His kidnap has sent his community into mourning, causing the postponement of the new Yam festival, an annual festival which holds on a static date every year.
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.
News
NLC disrupts Air Peace flight
The affected Air Peace flight, scheduled to depart Lagos at 6:30am, could not take off as passengers waited amid the disruption.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday disrupted flight operations in Lagos, leaving passengers scheduled to travel on an Air Peace flight stranded at the airport.
Our Reporter learned that the “protest was intended to enforce Air Peace employees right to join the union.”
Zulu terminal gate was under lock and key. The protest started at about 5am.
The affected Air Peace flight, scheduled to depart Lagos at 6:30am, could not take off as passengers waited amid the disruption.
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